Cream Cheese Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

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Gingerbread overload? There's no such thing! These soft, chewy ginger-spiced thumbprints are filled with a tangy cream cheese icing for the ultimate holiday treat. A sprinkling of chopped crystallized ginger gives the cookies an added festive touch.

Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in 350°F oven until no longer shiny, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven; using rounded back of 1 tsp measure, gently press wells to reshape. Let cool on pans for 5 minutes; transfer directly to racks to cool completely.

Spiced Cream Cheese Icing: While cookies are cooling, in bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until fluffy; beat in molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Beat in icing sugar until smooth. Spoon or pipe heaping 1 tsp of the icing into well of each cookie.

Garnish: Sprinkle icing with ginger. Refrigerate until icing is set, about 30 minutes. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days.)

Method

In food processor, whirl together Cheddar, cream cheese, cream, mustard and pepper until smooth. Scrape into bowl; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Roll by 1 tbsp into balls; arrange on parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. (Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container; refrigerate for up to 3 days.) Roll in desired coatings.
Tip from The Test Kitchen: Look for apple chips, which are crispy, instead of dried apple rings, which tend to be chewier. The chips are often sold in the produce section of major supermarkets or in health food stores.

Method

In large skillet, melt half of the butter over medium heat; cook apples, stirring often, until tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in almonds, honey, lemon juice and salt. Scrape into bowl; refrigerate until lukewarm, about 20 minutes.

In small microwaveable bowl, microwave remaining butter until melted. Place 1 sheet of the phyllo on work surface; keep remaining sheets covered with damp towel (to prevent drying out). Lightly brush phyllo with some of the remaining butter. Top with second sheet of the phyllo; lightly brush with some of the remaining butter. Repeat with remaining phyllo and some of the remaining butter. Halve layers lengthwise; cut crosswise into thirds to make 6 squares.

Press 1 square into bottom and up side of each well of 6-count muffin pan, leaving overhang. Divide apple mixture among cups; fold overhang over top of filling. Brush tops of phyllo with remaining butter. Bake in 350°F oven until golden, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes; transfer to serving plates. Dust with icing sugar.

Mini Meringues

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These bite-size treats are fantastic on their own, but for an extra-special finish, you can dip them in chocolate or use them to sandwich your favourite fillings—think dulce de leche, jam, curd or chocolate hazelnut spread.

Bake in top and bottom thirds of 200°F oven, switching and rotating pans halfway through, until dry, about 2 hours. Let cool in oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; transfer directly to racks to cool completely. (Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container; store for up to 1 week.)